In this episode, Chay and Laura sit down with Vicky and Karin, the brilliant duo behind The Plot Thickens podcast. As fellow podcasters, they share a deep appreciation for the passion, dedication, and courage it takes to create meaningful content purely for the love of it and for the benefit of listeners.

Vicky and Karin open up about how they first met, what inspired them to start their podcast, and the journey they’ve been on since – from the highs and lows to the lessons learned along the way. They also give us a behind-the-scenes look at their most recent season on their plots and a sneak peek into what plans they have next year.

Beyond podcasting, Vicky and Karin are now channelling their energy into an exciting new venture: Soil Squad. Founded in 2024 in St Albans, Soil Squad is a UK-based Community Interest Company (CIC) with a mission to turn food waste into nutrient-rich compost, promote regenerative farming, and educate communities about the importance of healthy soil. Through their Community Composting Hub at Sandridge Road Allotments, they provide composting services, run sustainability workshops, and deliver educational programmes to schools and local businesses.

This is an inspiring conversation about community, sustainability, and the power of sharing stories – both through podcasts and hands-on action.

You can find out more about Soil Squad via their website: https://soilsquad.uk/

Support the show

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.

In this episode, Laura and Chay chat all about growing, harvesting, and cooking straight from the plot. They share stories of the very first things they ever grew, the crops that make it onto their must-grow list every year, and whether they plan their planting with cooking in mind or simply let the harvest inspire what ends up on the plate.

They also dive into the tricky question of knowing when something is ready to harvest, swap go-to seasonal recipes, and talk about their favourite plot-to-plate meals – as well as a few kitchen disasters they’d never repeat. Along the way, Laura and Chay reflect on the joy of sharing produce with family, neighbours, and fellow plot-holders, and the surprising ways swapping vegetables can lead to new recipes and traditions.

The conversation naturally turns to community and family: cooking with kids, discovering new flavours from other gardeners, and how growing your own food can completely change the way you shop, cook, and eat.

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.

In this 70th episode, Laura and Chay reunite to swap updates from their plots as well as what they have been up to. While activity on the allotment has been a little quieter, there’s still plenty to chat about—from everyday challenges to the latest quirky plant science.

Laura dives into the fascinating world of “listening to your plants” with an audio wave machine, and the pair explore a recent study suggesting that speaking kindly to your plants could actually boost their growth and health. Could compliments really mean better flowers, fruit, and veg? Together, they discuss the possibilities, the science, and whether any of it is practical for everyday allotmenteers.

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.